gb&u tomato contest!

“THE GOOD, THE BIG, AND THE UGLY”

OMAHA'S 3RD ANNUAL TOMATO SHOWDOWN!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

8:00AM TO 1:00PM

MILITARY AVENUE AT MAPLE STREET

Sponsored by THE BENSON FARMERS MARKET

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WHO CAN ENTER? Anyone with tomatoes they have grown themselves, whether for fun, for personal consumption, or for sale.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? $5.00 for one entry, $10.00 for two or more entries. Each different kind (variety) of tomato is one entry. That's right─You may enter as many different kinds as you wish for just $10.00!

WHERE? At the Benson Farmers Market, Military Avenue at Maple Street. (That's between 61st and 62nd Streets in the Benson business district.)

WHAT KINDS OF TOMATOES CAN I ENTER? There are 2 classes of entries: Miniature, for grape-, cherry-, and plum-sized tomatoes (basically 2 ounces and under), and Standard for all others.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES? In the both Miniature and Standard classes, tomatoes will be judged on appearance, taste, and Brix (sugar content). In the Standard class only, tomatoes will also be judged on size (by weight) and “ugly”. You can choose how many categories you want your entry to be judged in, just one (“ugly”, for instance) or all of them.

WHO ARE THE JUDGES? We welcome back grower Rebecca Bloom of Blooms Organic, our presiding judge from the beginning. Joining us for the second year in a row is Patricia “Big Mama” Barron, founder and proprietor of Big Mama’s Kitchen. Our new judge this year is Jose Dionicio, chef and owner of Taita in Benson.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES? Ribbons and medals will be awarded in both classes and all categories. For things that can be measured (size and Brix), 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places will be awarded; for everything else, “Best in Category” will be awarded. There will also be an overall Grand Prize ribbon and medal. Special additional prizes have been donated by Canoyer's, Earl May, Indian Creek Nursery, Tomato Growers Supply, and Seed Savers Exchange.

I'M GOING TO BE OUT OF TOWN; CAN SOMEONE ELSE ENTER FOR ME? You bet! This is called a proxy entry. Just have that person write your name on the entry form(s) and tell us who your proxy will be when you preregister.

SOUNDS FUN! HOW DO I ENTER?

1. Please pre-register before midnight Friday, August 31! (It's not mandatory, but it helps us know how many entries to expect. Sooner is better!) Call (402) 553-5627 or e-mail info@bensonfarmersmarket.org

2. Bring each entry to the registration table at the Market between 8:00 and 9:30AM on Saturday. Pay your entry fee(s) at that time with cash, credit/debit card, or by check made out to "Benson Farmers Market".

3. Bring enough of each tomato! If you are entering Miniature tomatoes, try to bring 4 to 6 of each kind you will enter, more if possible; if entering Standard tomatoes, bring at least 2 of each kind─3 is better. If you are entering an “ugly” or “big” tomato and do not want it to be judged in other categories, bring just one.

CONTEST SCHEDULE

8:00 – 9:30AM

Registration and weigh-in

10:00 – 11:30AM

Judging and Brix measurement

Noon

Public tasting

12:30PM

Presentation of awards

QUESTIONS?

Call (402) 553-5627 or e-mail info@bensonfarmersmarket.org